A hands-on camp experience is one of the best ways to get into the watersports world if you’re not already familiar or improve your skills if you’re looking to get to the next level. The friendly, like-minded coaches and staff will ensure you and your family have an amazing experience making memories that will last a lifetime. For first-time or beginner riders, a coach you meet at a local lake or a full-on camp experience is one of the best ways to progress. For seasoned riders, nailing down that next trick can become reality a lot faster than you think, but it happens faster with the right coaching. With that in mind, here’s a list of Axis-approved camps and schools around the country that will have you upping your watersports game this summer. And the best part? They all use Axis boats so you can continue learning on the most consistent, perfectly-shaped wakes and waves on the market.
Lake Gaston AF Wake
Location: Lake Gaston, NC/VA
Website: afwake.com
Phone: (252) 536-9063
Sports: Wakeboarding, wakesurfing, paddleboard rentals, jetski rentals, etc.
Former World Champion wakeboarder Adam Fields started AF Wake back in 2000 and has expanded out to a full-on destination including all sorts of on-water rentals and instructions. Having brought over 15 athletes to World Champion status, Adam’s team is the real deal. There are too many services at AF Wake to name, but if it’s on the water, you’re probably going to find Adam and his crew teaching it. They’re rapidly expanding so check out their site for the latest and greatest from AF Wake.
So there you have it: A quick guide to the Axis camps and schools around the country. With many of these pros offering traveling coaching, you can even have them travel to your hometown for personalized lessons on your lake. Don’t hesitate to give them a ring or stop by their website to level up your skills and find more ways to enjoy your Axis.
Missouri & Florida Kirby’s School of Wake
Locations: Lake of the Ozarks, MO, and Fort Myers, FL
Website: kirbysschoolofwake.com
Phone: 573-694-0640 (MO), 573-694-0640 (FL)
Sports: Wakeboarding, wakesurfing
With a ton of service offerings from trampoline lessons to cable to all-girls wake sessions, Kirby’s School of Wake offers a little of everything. Owned by a pro-rider who cut his teeth in Orlando, FL, learning hard tricks and taking hard falls, Kirby aims to make the road much easier for everyone who learns from him. Focusing on fundamentals and drills, his system can take just about anyone from crashing to consistent. Between the two camps, Kirby dominates South Florida and Missouri, spreading the stoke wherever he and his crew go. With options to coach from your boat or use Kirby’s fleet, it’s all about flexibility and fun with Kirby’s School of Wake.
Orlando, FL Freedom Wake Park
Location: Orlando, FL
Website: freedomwakepark.com
Phone: (417) 559-5906
Sports: Wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wakeskating, foiling
Looking for a true destination camp? Look no further. In the heart of Orlando, Florida, wakeboard and surf veterans Cobe and Tarah Mikacich own and operate Freedom Wake Park. The camp operates on its own private lake, which means you don’t have boaters running lines in the wrong direction across the lake because there’s no other boat traffic—and there’s always a clean line because they can run whatever side of the lake they want. With close proximity to Disney and legendary and up-and-coming riders as coaches, Freedom Wake Park has multiple packages to suit your budget and time requirements. Looking for another reason to love Freedom Wake Park? It was named “School/Camp of the Year” in 2021 by the Watersports Industry Association, and they also took home the prestigious Coach of the Year Award two years in a row.